This is a statement by sixteen former and current members of the ZSS Sangha who met together for a meeting on Sunday March 20, 2011, facilitated by Grace Schireson and Barry Magid (pictured). While acknowledging the many positive and beneficial experiences of practice we have taken a first step toward healing from fifty years of trauma caused by misconduct by Eido Shimano and have begun the process of recognizing and assessing our own sense of responsibility for the silence and inaction that allowed this to continue for so long. We all shared our love for Zen practice and the acute sense of pain and loss of community. We wish to extend our compassion to all those who have suffered and were deeply damaged by this ongoing trauma. Some of the topics we explored during the day were:

The difference between submission and surrender

The mystery of enlightenment coinciding with misconduct

The mystique and idealization of a teacher and practice

What fantasies might have brought us to Zen practice and how we might better activate our bullshit detectors in the future

Power dynamics

Sexual dynamics in unequal power situations

Spiritual bypassing – when our practice disconnects us from our emotional life and psychological needs

We expressed concern about how the process of reconstruction of the ZSS will unfold and the need for a democratic Sangha-driven process moving forward that is not principally controlled by the existing hierarchy. All of us who participated feel that we benefitted a great deal from discussing these issues openly and honestly. And we invite others to join us in the next meeting, date to be determined. We ask the greater Buddhist community for its continuing support and compassion as we move through this painful process. Participants of the Sangha Stepping Forth Meeting Our website: http://sanghasteppingforth.com For questions or comments you can email us at: cssf@sanghasteppingforth.com

About Myoan Grace Schireson

Myōan Grace Schireson is head teacher and Abbess of the Central Valley Zen Foundation She received dharma transmission in the Suzuki Roshi lineage by Sojun Mel Weitsman, Abbot of Berkeley Zen Center. Grace has also studied Rinzai Zen in Japan with Keido Fukushima Roshi, the late Abbot of Tofukuji Monastery in Kyoto, Japan who asked her to teach the koans she had studied with him during her training there. Grace is the head teacher of the Central Valley Zen Foundation and has founded and leads three Zen groups and a Zen retreat center in California. Grace is also a clinical psychologist who has specialized in women and families. She has been married for forty-eight years to her husband, Kuzan Peter Schireson, and has two grown sons and four grandchildren.

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About Myoan Grace Schireson

Myōan Grace Schireson is head teacher and Abbess of the Central Valley Zen Foundation She received dharma transmission in the Suzuki Roshi lineage by Sojun Mel Weitsman, Abbot of Berkeley Zen Center. Grace has also studied Rinzai Zen in Japan with Keido Fukushima Roshi, the late Abbot of Tofukuji Monastery in Kyoto, Japan who asked her to teach the koans she had studied with him during her training there. Grace is the head teacher of the Central Valley Zen Foundation and has founded and leads three Zen groups and a Zen retreat center in California. Grace is also a clinical psychologist who has specialized in women and families. She has been married for forty-eight years to her husband, Kuzan Peter Schireson, and has two grown sons and four grandchildren.

About Sweeping Zen

Established in 2009 as a grassroots initiative, Sweeping Zen is a digital archive of information on Zen Buddhism. Featuring in-depth interviews, an extensive database of biographies, news, articles, podcasts, teacher blogs, events, directories and more, this site is dedicated to offering the public a range of views in the sphere of Zen Buddhist thought. We are also endeavoring to continue creating lineage charts for all Western Zen lines, doing our own small part in advancing historical documentation on this fabulous import of an ancient tradition. Come on in with a tea or coffee. You're always bound to find something new.

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